5 Spots to Celebrate National Rum Day

Ahoy! It's National Rum Day and also Friday, both of which are good reasons to head to a bar in the name of celebration. Yesterday, Eve Turow chatted with The Beach's William Ward about rum's history and place on today's bar. You might check out his establishment, where you can lounge in a cabana while you sip a Kelvin Natural Slush shot through with Mt. Gay. Or you could head to one of these five spots, all worthy places to toast the Caribbean sugar cane spirit while you drink it.

Rum House via Facebook

The Rum House, 228 West 47th Street Sure, you'll have to fight throngs of Times Square-bound tourists to get to this iconic cocktail bar in the Edison Hotel, but once you grab a seat in this dark lair, which was given an upgrade by the Ward III team in 2011, you'll be able to celebrate the holiday with rum classics--like the mojito or Hemingway daiquiri--and twists on classics, like a rum-infused negroni or old fashioned. Bonus: The spot often hosts live music, and a piano player posts up nightly.

Fatty 'Cue via Facebook

Fatty 'Cue, 50 Carmine Street and 91 South Sixth Street, Brooklyn The Fatty crew teamed up with Sailor Jerry's, and together, they've rolled out a way to celebrate with a slight twist: by having your rum with ice cream. The Fatty 'Cue restaurants are serving a Sailor Spiced Float, which pits spiced ice cream against Sailor Jerry's rum. And should you want to keep the celebration going for a few extra days, you'll be able to find this treat on the menu until August 21.

Cienfuegos, 95 Avenue A Rum-themed East Village Bar has been hosting events dedicated to sugar cane spirits all week long, which culminate tonight with a gala. $75 buys you entrance to the party, where you'll find live music, dancing, passed appetizers, and, of course, flowing rum cocktails. The party runs from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m.; email rumweek@cienfuegosny.com for tickets.